Learning to identify a real bill is not just a skill, it’s a way to take care of your money. Can you recognize when one is false?
In Colombia, talking about counterfeit bills may sound like old history, but the problem is still more current than many imagine. Daily, hundreds of people end up receiving adulterated money in an informal purchase, in a quick transaction or even at an ATM without realizing it.
A small oversight can translate into a big loss. Therefore, learning to identify a true ticket is more than a skill: it is a form of citizen self-protection.
According to Daniel Gomez, coordinator of the Criminal and Judicial Investigation program of the Alberto Merani Higher Education Foundation, the first step is simple but key: observe.
“Each bill has specific images, letters and sizes. In some fake ones, the letters vary or the colors look pale, which is a clear indication of falsification,” explains the expert. Detailed observation, although it may seem obvious, can make the difference between being a victim or detecting someone. time a fraud.
How to recognize them?
At first glance, counterfeit bills may look identical, but if you look closely, there are telltale signs. Here we share five essential keys so you don’t get fooled:
1. Observe the details: Each bill has a unique design, with perfectly aligned images and letters. In fake ones, the colors are usually duller and the typography appears irregular. If in doubt, compare it with another note of the same value from a reliable source: the differences are obvious.
2. Touch the texture: Colombian paper money has a special texture that cannot be achieved with ordinary paper. When you run your fingers over the faces, numbers or main letters, you feel a slight but noticeable relief. That tactile sensation is impossible to replicate with a home printer or scanner.
3. Look against the light: Place the bill in front of a light source. The watermark and security tape with the initials should appear immediately “BRC” of the Bank of the Republic. If you don’t see them or notice glued or different parts, you are looking at a fake. This trick is foolproof on high denomination bills.
4. Turn the bill: Authentic bills have figures that change color when tilted. In the 100,000 peso one, the flower turns from green to blue; in the 10,000,the frog changes its tone. This effect, called “variable color”, It is one of the most effective and easiest security measures to verify.
5. Check with ultraviolet light: If you have access to a UV lamp, place the bill under the light. Microtexts, hidden images and the initials “BRC” should appear. Additionally, the central security tape shines with a continuous pattern confirming its authenticity.
Knowing these details does not require being an expert or having sophisticated equipment.. Just a little attention and common sense is enough. Recognizing a counterfeit bill in time not only prevents personal losses, it also helps stop the chain of circulation of illegal money.
In a country where cash continues to be the protagonist in thousands of daily transactions, Educating yourself on these topics is not optional, it is necessary. In the end, taking care of your money is also taking care of the country’s economy.
